The colourful boot trend the All Blacks have taken to recently is set to end - at least for the World Cup.
In keeping with their "Force of Black" theme promoted by sponsors adidas, the All Blacks will wear all black boots to defend their title at the global event starting next month.
The "Blackout" boots, available to the public in shops from Saturday, even have black stripes.
Adidas said the boots, developed for the All Blacks in collaboration with senior players, would mean the entire team will be head-to-toe in black throughout the tournament.
There are four variations of the boots, depending on the players' positions.
Simon Cartwright, the senior director of adidas rugby, said: "We believe, as an evolution of 'the blackest ever' All Blacks jersey launched in November, Blackout boots make a strong and powerful statement, just like the All Blacks do every time they hit the field."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said of being part of the research and development process: "You have more confidence knowing what you wear is going to help you perform on field."
The All Blacks will "break in" their new Blackout boots in training before wearing them on-field for the second Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park a week on Saturday.
